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, thereof.

figment and.

TALIAFERBO P. SHAFFNER, OF LOUISVILLE KENTUCKY.

Letters Patent No. 93,753, dated August 17, 1869.

IMPROVED EXPLOSIVE COMPOUND The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part of the same.

To all whmn it may concern Be it known that I, TALIAFnRRo P. SHAFFNER, of

-thecity of Louisville, county of Jeflersou, State of Kentucky, have discovered a new and improved compound, which I call Porifera Nitroleum; and I do declare that the following is a full and exact description The nature 'of my discovery or invention consists in the niixingof nitrolenm ornitro-glycerine, withsponge or other vegetable substance that will accomplish the object and purposes herein described.

To enable others skilled in the art to which it belongs, to make and use my invention or discovery, I will now proceed to describe the same.

In blasting with nitro-glycerine, there are more or less difficulties realized, which have to be overcome, and, unless provided for by the manufacturer, less experienced persons have to devise modes or processes to perfect its use, and among those imperfections may be namedflthe excessive weight or, concentration of power. in a givencubic space, (conditions, in some cases, really iudispensable,) while, on the other hand, there are many times when the reverse is necessary or desirable.

Of course gunpowder can be used, but as that ex plosive is slow, the objects desired might not be realized so efiectually as can be by the use of a more rapid explosive, like that of nitro-glycerine.

By preference, I take one pound of well-cleaned sponge -and cut it up as fine as possible. The particles or pieces may contain a cubic quantity equal to one hundredth part of an inch or one thousandth, more or less, as may be desired for specific uses.

'I mix with this abouttwo pounds of nitro-glycerine.

These proportions will produce an oily-looking powder, somewhat resembling snufi".

The one pound of sppnge however, will easily absorb or hold within its'cubic dimensions some four pounds of nitro-glyceriue.

it is desirable to dry them well, and then treat them with a solution of saltpetre, and then ory'them wed.

'llllS may be done by washing the fibre in the saltpetre-water or by subjecting it to pressure inthe said water. v

If this be not done. on the explosion of the nitrogly'cerine, held in the fibre, a smoke will be thrown off highly ofl'eusive and injiu'ious,injuring health and retarding the work.

In the use 05 the sponge,however,- this washing need not be done, and further water may be poured into the vessel containing the mixed nitro-glycerine and sponge, and thus prepared, decomposition will be impossible.

Water may he applied to the other species of fibre, but not so eifectually.

In the use of. these preparations, plaster of Paris, natural, may be mixed with them, which will further lessen the explosive qualities of the nitro-glycerine by concussion or percussion.

These various materials lessen premature explosiops, as they are elastic, and prevent a percussive contact sufiicieut to explode the nitro-glycerine.

Besides the use of free or clear water in the abovedescribed compound, the said water may be impregnated with soda or other alkaline substance.

Having now fully described the nature of my invention or discovery sufficiently full and distinct t0 enablethose skilled in. the arts to make and use the same,

\Vhat I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, as my inventio'n or discovery, is.

1. A compound, composed of a mixture of nitroglycerine with sponge or other vegetable fibre, in the manner and substantially as hereinbefore' described' 2. The mixing of plaster of Paris or any alkaline substance with the above-named and described compound, substantially in the manner and for the pur poses hereinbefore described.

. PAL. 1. SHAFFNER. \Vituesses.

J AMES Dnvnsu, GEORGE S. HAMLIN. 

